e-Key v3 - Gossypioides
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Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

Malvaceae - Hibisceae - Gossypioides Skovst. ex J.B.Hutch.

Description :

  • Scandent shrubs, gland-dotted in most parts
  • Leaves 3-5-lobed, orbicular in outline, large; stipules falcate, persistent
  • Flowers on 1-3-flowered sympodial branches, showy; pedicels without articulation
  • Epicalyx of 3 foliaceous, coarsely dentate, persistent bracts
  • Calyx cupuliform
  • Petals obliquely obovate, yellow with dark base
  • Staminal tube much shorter than petals, bearing anthers in upper half
  • Gynoecium 3- or 4-locular, with 2 ovules per locule; style branches as many as carpels; stigmas capitate to club-shaped, short
  • Fruit a loculicidally dehiscent capsule with 2 seeds per locule
  • Seeds narrowly ellipsoid with dense, long woolly hairs (floss or lint), but no fuzz (shorter, denser hairs)
  • x = 12 (1 report)

Nomenclature:

  • Gossypioides Skovst. ex J.B.Hutch.
    • Hutchinson: 131 (1947)
    • Exell: 432 (1960).

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global : Species 2, tropical Africa and Madagascar
  • Southern Africa : Species 1, N KwaZulu-Natal

References:

  • EXELL, A.W. 1960. Malvaceae . Flora zambesiaca 1
  • HUTCHINSON, J.B. 1947. Notes on the classification and distribution of genera related to Gossypium . New Phytologist 46